Aaron Newman

Outstanding Alumni, College of Business, Law and Governance

Commencing his banking career at 18, Aaron worked across a number of the big four banks before making the move to Queensland Country Bank in 2004 where his leadership and strategic business acumen saw him take on a number of leadership positions across the banking and health fund business. In 2019 Aaron was appointed Group CEO of Queensland Country Bank and Queensland Country Health Fund and is now responsible for 28 Queensland branches, three contact centres and over 450 employees, while supporting over 100,000 bank clients and 30,000 health fund members.

With more than 20 years’ employment in Financial Services across Retail Banking, Lending, and Health Insurance, Aaron has diverse experience in developing long-term strategy, leading large-scale teams, strategy functions and delivering major projects, customer experience, mergers, partnerships, and digital capability.

Aaron completed a Master of Business Administration through James Cook University in 2004, which he credits with enhancing his ability to think more strategically about business as a whole.

Since his appointment as Group CEO at Queensland Country Group, Aaron has led the organisation through some of the most rewarding and challenging times of its 50-year history. Throughout events such as the Townsville 2019 monsoon, Covid-19 pandemic, and Southeast Queensland bushfires and floods, Aaron has embodied the organisation’s values of putting people first by maintaining clear communication and support to staff and members when needed most.

Through his guidance and leadership, the organisation has achieved several key milestones including the transition from credit union to a member-owned bank, securing the naming rights to Queensland Country Bank Stadium, instigating a business banking team, and despite the global pandemic, experienced record-breaking lending growth.

Aaron’s strategic thinking and leadership has had far-reaching impact for Queensland Country Bank as well as the Queensland communities, families, and individuals that the organisation serves.